Chapter 2 - The Social Scene
Opal had thought her second season since her debut would surely be a pleasant one, but she returned to her fief in disappointment. Far from dying down, the rumors had transformed Opal into a completely wanton woman.
A few times, she had gone on morning walks with men she thought might be suitable, or stepped out onto a balcony with them for a private moment, and even tried kissing them. But just as with the viscount's son, it felt only disgusting, and she refused to go any further. The men, their pride wounded, spread all sorts of lies about what had and had not happened. Then, other men who thought they were the only ones to be rejected would spread their own stories of what had happened in their case. Before she knew it, Opal had been labeled an indecent woman, unfit for an unmarried lady, and in the blink of an eye, her third season had also come to a close.
(It seems I should just give up on marriage. I would rather live freely than marry someone I do not even like and have them squander my fortune.)
At the end of her season at eighteen, Opal gave up on her dream of building a warm family. When Opal turned twenty, she was set to inherit a small fief and a sufficient fortune from her late maternal grandmother, Olga Kenjit. The inheritance came with the condition that it would remain Opal's even if she married. She had a vague sense of her grandmother's intentions at the time, for her mother had told her that her maternal grandfather had been a very strict man who always carried a whip.
Upon returning to the estate, Opal devoted herself to her studies rather than to play this year. She sought instruction from the fief's steward, Trevor, the butler, Orton, and the housekeeper, Marcia, following them around and studying in detail the various methods of managing the fief and running the household. Partway through, Claude returned from university, but he looked quite displeased to see Opal like this and spoke his mind.
"Hey, Opal. What are you going to do with all that studying? That is a man's job, is it not? Besides, you can just hire a steward and a butler, so there is no need for you to study, right?"
"Oh, so you also think a woman should just be quiet and take care of the house. How disappointing. I do not plan on getting married anymore, so when I turn twenty, I intend to live on the land my grandmother left for me. That is why I want to know a little about everything."
"You do not plan on getting married? Why is that?"
"Claude, have you not heard? The awful rumors about me. But the fact that you are still my friend must mean you do not know."
"Are you an idiot? Of course I have heard. Just because it is an all boys' dormitory does not mean news does not reach us. But it is precisely because I am your friend that I know you are not... not the kind of woman those rumors make you out to be. Everyone who lives around here feels the same. We have all known you since you were little."
"...Thank you, Claude."
Claude's words made her so happy that she felt tears welling up, but Opal managed to hold them back. Opal never cried. Not when she fell from a tree and broke her arm, nor when her beloved pony died. On her deathbed, her mother had said,
"Do not cry, my sweet child. Please, smile." So, at that moment, she had desperately held back the falling tears and smiled with a face messy from a runny nose. In return, her mother, her cheeks completely gaunt and thin, had slowly lifted them and smiled back, even though she should not have had the strength left for even that.
That is why, since that day when she was ten, Opal had decided not to cry. If she gritted her teeth, looked forward, and smiled, someday everyone would smile back. In fact, the people of her fief did smile back. It did not matter what the people in society said. Once the next season was over, Opal planned to move to the house her grandmother had left her.
She was still nearly two years from turning twenty, but she had spent three social seasons without finding a husband, so it could not be helped. The Steward of the Estate was a very kind man, and perhaps knowing of the rumors about Opal, he had consented to her proposal. The condition, of course, was that for a few years, the management of the land would be entrusted to a steward of his choosing.
Thanks to this, Opal's heart was light as she faced her fourth season. This time, too, she could smile even when surrounded by men who were nothing but dandies called profligates, by men after her fortune, and by so called ladies who did nothing but trade in vulgar rumors. She happened to lock eyes with the duke she had danced with once and been drawn to, but even when he glared at her, she was unfazed. Since that incident, he had ignored her even when they came face to face, not even offering a greeting. As if she was not worth speaking to. It was ill mannered, but a duke was in a position where such things were permissible.
With only a few days left in the season, Opal had already finished her packing. She would return to the estate once, and then move to the small house her grandmother had left her, which would become her new home. She had informed everyone at the estate of her intentions before coming to the Royal Capital, and though they were saddened, she had assured them that she could return in less than a day by carriage.
All that remained was to attend a small concert hosted by a certain viscount's family, and Opal's season would be over. She chose a dress for the evening and looked at the other dresses lined up in her closet. She would have no need for most of them after this season, and she intended to leave them at this residence. A few of the more modest designs would still be necessary, so she had already packed them in her bags. It is finally over. Just as Opal thought this, the butler came to her room.
"The master is waiting for you in his study."
"My father?"
"Yes. He asks that you come at once."
"...I understand."
It was the first time she had been summoned to her father's study since the morning after that incident. He had left her completely alone since then, so she had thought he truly had no interest in her, but being summoned again like this gave her a bad feeling. Still, she could not run away, nor did she intend to. Opal stood boldly before the study and knocked on the door.
"Enter."
Without even asking who it was, her father granted her entry. Opal quietly opened the door and stepped into the study. As always, her father's desk was chaotically piled with documents, a testament to his busy schedule. And despite having summoned her, her father did not even look up, continuing to write something in a document.
"Father, is there something you need?"
Unable to wait any longer, Opal asked. Her father looked up, annoyed. He then let out a great sigh and put down the fountain pen he was holding.
"A lady does not speak until the master of the house speaks first. Honestly, it is my fault as well that you were not properly taught etiquette. I have allowed you too much freedom, Opal."
"I apologize, Father. But I must prepare for this evening..."
"Be silent."
Her father did not shout, but he never listened to his family's opinions. Opal hated that about him so much. She suspected that her brother did not return from university because he did not want to see their father. Feeling weary, Opal meekly offered words of apology. At once, her father's mood brightened, and he smiled. That smile confirmed for Opal that her bad feeling had been correct.
"Opal, rejoice. Your marriage has finally been decided."
"...Pardon?"
"And he is quite a catch. It was worth the three year wait. This is a match we could have arranged three years ago if not for that incident. No matter how damaged you are, I had no intention of giving you to that brat or some worthless fortune hunter."
"Father, I have no intention of marrying..."
"I have already exchanged contracts with him. I just received word that he has obtained the marriage license. You will be wed the day after tomorrow."
It was already a settled matter, and Opal could not voice any objection. Her mind raced, but she quickly realized there was nothing she could do to escape this marriage before she turned twenty. The reason her father had allowed her to be free was because he had been aiming for this prize catch. For three years, Opal's father must have been waiting until he could take advantage of his opponent's weakness.
What kind of terrible person could he be? Hurt yet again by the words "damaged goods," she wondered if a divorce would be possible when she turned twenty. Then it occurred to her that she would have to endure that disgusting kind of kiss.
"Father, who... who is my betrothed?"
"You finally ask. When you hear his name, you may even thank this father of yours. Your groom will be Hubert McLeod. Duke McLeod."
"...Duke McLeod?"
Hearing the name, Opal felt so dizzy she thought she might faint. Duke McLeod was the man she had danced with just once three years ago. The only one who had captured her heart, the one who had ignored her since that incident, and the very same man who had glared at her just the other day.
"Why... would someone like the Duke...?"
"Duke McLeod lost his parents early and inherited the title at a young age. He is inexperienced and too soft. Three years ago, he might have managed. But his pride must have prevented him from seeking help. He is now drowning in debt. So instead of selling his ancestral lands, he has decided to sell himself."
"...His Grace agreed to marry me because of his debts?"
"Yes. It required considerable patience to simply watch him fall this far without doing anything. But patience is key to any investment."
"An investment..."
"Just think of it. A duke! I will be the duke's father in law, the grandfather of a future duke. My business opportunities will expand. Listen, Opal. I have let you be free until now, but from now on, you will conduct yourself with propriety. And you will tackle these problems alongside the duke. That, too, should be amusing."
She was not even sure if she had replied to her father's words. Opal simply stumbled out of the study and back to her room, where she remained in a daze until her lady's maid spoke to her.